Emt city admin. question

[Peter Paramedic]

Is there any chance of getting a poll or however yall do it, on ambulances from 5yrs old to new ambulances?

The point is when its time to buy, what "Brand" has served you well?

Start with Administrators, owners, managers....

Base price, repairs, service availability after the purchase..........

All types and duty levels...

Chassis- Ford, Chev., GMC, Freightliner.....

Good points, consistent problems.......

Ambulance conversion- Wheeled Coach, Horton, Demers, Braun, MedTech.......

Good points, problems.........

Then go to the front line, what do the medics like and dislike about the design and function, what quits working that doesn't get reported.

That information sure would be a great resource at purchase time!

[Richard B the EMT]

Just remember that any municipal ambulance vehicles will be what someone, or some committee, feels is the most "bang" for the lowest "bucks."

Other times, it ends up being a lot of stuff that is truly not needed, like what I hear for some luxury car, with cupholders that heat or cool the cup. Just because the next town over doesn't have it does not mean our town couldn't survive unless we beat them in buying such item.

Just have the person or persons responsible for the purchase make a list of what the federal KKK-A-1822 (whatever letter they are now up to) standards call for, what your state/provence demands, and local requirements, with some "wiggle room" for what might be added before this vehicle is being replaced, with a new set of "specs" being created.

Ambulance dealers can provide samples of types one, two, three, and "super rescue" body types, to assist you in deciding which you might want or need for your usual response area.

One thing: Due to the routine way we abuse the vehicles, don't purchase a used NYPD car, or an FDNY EMS ambulance. (On the other hand, the way FDNY Engines and Ladder Truck vehicles are babied, they probably are a good deal, financially, for many years of use after we replace them at about 10 years of age.)